Indian Railways on Thursday announced a revision in passenger fares, with the new rates coming into force from Friday, December 26. This marks the second fare increase in 2025, following an earlier hike implemented in July.
According to the revised fare structure, ticket prices will rise by 1 paise per kilometre for second-class ordinary travel beyond 215 km, while non-AC classes of mail and express trains and all AC classes across trains will see an increase of 2 paise per kilometre, the Railway Ministry said.
Reason Behind the Fare Revision
The Ministry stated that the fare rationalisation aims to strike a balance between passenger affordability and the long-term sustainability of railway operations. The decision was first announced on December 21.
Fares That Remain Unchanged
There will be no fare increase for suburban services or season tickets, whether suburban or non-suburban. Additionally, second-class ordinary travel up to 215 km will remain unchanged, ensuring that short-distance passengers and daily commuters are not affected.
Revised Second-Class Ordinary Fares
For longer journeys in second-class ordinary coaches, fares will increase in slabs:
- ₹5 for distances between 216–750 km
- ₹10 for 751–1,250 km
- ₹15 for 1,251–1,750 km
- ₹20 for 1,751–2,250 km
Sleeper and First-Class Ordinary
Fares for sleeper class ordinary and first-class ordinary have been uniformly revised upward by 1 paise per kilometre for non-suburban journeys, resulting in a gradual increase.
Impact on Mail and Express Trains
Across mail and express trains, fares for both AC and non-AC categories—including sleeper, first class, AC chair car, AC 3-tier, AC 2-tier and AC first class—have been raised by 2 paise per kilometre. As per the Railways, this translates to an additional ₹10 for a 500-km non-AC mail or express journey.
Trains Covered Under the Revision
The hike applies to several major services, including Rajdhani, Shatabdi, Duronto, Vande Bharat, Tejas, Gatimaan, Humsafar, Amrit Bharat, Garib Rath, Antyodaya, Jan Shatabdi, Yuva Express and Namo Bharat Rapid Rail, among others.
Effective Date and Ticketing Clarification
The Railways clarified that the revised fares will apply only to tickets booked on or after December 26, 2025. Tickets purchased before this date will not attract any additional charges, even if the journey is undertaken later.
Railways’ Assurance
Indian Railways said fare charts at stations will be updated accordingly and reaffirmed its commitment to providing safe, reliable and affordable travel while ensuring operational sustainability.
